Human-powered vehicle control device

ABSTRACT

A human-powered vehicle control device controls the transmission to initiate a shifting operation based on a set of prescribed conditions that changes the transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that switches between a first control state for controlling the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed set of conditions, and a second control state for controlling the transmission to prevent the change of the transmission ratio as compared with if the electronic controller is in the first control state. The electronic controller switches between the first control state and the second control state in accordance with a detection of at least one of a steering state of the human-powered vehicle, a surface condition of a travel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedaling preparation state related to the pedals of the human-powered vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/291,344, filed on Mar. 4, 2019. This application claimspriority to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2018-066077, filed on Mar.29, 2018, and 2018-100754, filed on May 25, 2018. The entire disclosuresof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/291,344 and of Japanese PatentApplication Nos. 2018-066077 and 2018-100754 are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a human-powered vehiclecontrol device.

Background Information

In the human-powered vehicle control device according to JapaneseLaid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-511621 (Patent Document 1), atransmission is controlled according to prescribed conditions in orderto change a transmission ratio.

SUMMARY

The human-powered vehicle control device described above does notconsider cases in which it is not preferable to change the transmissionratio. One object of the present invention is to provide a human-poweredvehicle control device that is capable of suitably controlling thetransmission.

A human-powered vehicle control device according to a first aspect ofthe present invention comprises an electronic controller that isconfigured to control a transmission to initiate a shifting operationbased on a set of prescribed conditions that changes a transmissionratio of a human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller isconfigured to switch between a first control state that controls thetransmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a firstprescribed set of conditions, and a second control state that controlsthe transmission to prevent the change of the transmission ratio ascompared to the first control state. The electronic controller isconfigured to switch between the first control state and the secondcontrol state in accordance with a detection of at least one of asteering state of the human-powered vehicle, a surface condition of atravel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedalingpreparation state relating to a pedal of the human-powered vehicle.

The human-powered vehicle control device of the first aspect describedabove is configured to switch between the first control state and thesecond control state, which is suitable for at least one of the steeringstate of the human-powered vehicle, the surface condition of the travelpath on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and the pedalingpreparation state relating to the pedal of the human-powered vehicle. Asa result, it is possible to suitably control the transmission.

In a second aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device accordingto the first aspect, the electronic controller is configured to switchbetween the first control state and the second control state inaccordance with an output of a fifth detection unit, which detects asteering angle of a handle of the human-powered vehicle as informationrelating to the steering state.

The second aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suitably detect the steering angle of the handle of thehuman-powered vehicle by means of the fifth detection unit.

In a third aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device accordingto the second aspect, the electronic controller is configured to switchto the second control state upon determining the steering angle isgreater than a first steering angle while in the first control state.

The third aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suppress the change of the transmission ratio upondetermining the steering angle is greater than the first steering angle.

In a fourth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device accordingto the second or third aspect, the electronic controller is configuredto switch to the second control state upon determining the steeringangle repeatedly increases and decreases within a third period of timewhile in the first control state.

The fourth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suppress the change of the transmission ratio upondetermining the steering angle repeatedly increases and decreases withinthird period of time.

In a fifth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device accordingto any one of the first to the fourth aspects, the electronic controlleris configured to switch between the first control state and the secondcontrol state corresponding to the steering state in accordance with anoutput of a sixth detection unit, which detects a rider's gripping stateof a handle of the human-powered vehicle.

The fifth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suitably detect the rider's gripping state of the handleof the human-powered vehicle, by means of the sixth detection unit.

In a sixth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device accordingto the fifth aspect, the electronic controller is configured to switchto the second control state upon determining at least one hand of therider is not gripping the handle while in the first control state.

The sixth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suppress the change of the transmission ratio upondetermining at least one hand of the rider is not gripping the handle.

In a seventh aspect of the human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to any one of the first to the sixth aspects, the electroniccontroller is configured to switch between the first control state andthe second control state in accordance with an output of a seventhdetection unit, which detects a friction coefficient of a surface of thetravel path or a second parameter correlated with the frictioncoefficient as information relating to the surface condition of thetravel path.

The seventh aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suitably detect the friction coefficient of the surface ofthe travel path or the friction coefficient by means of the seventhdetection unit.

In an eighth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to the seventh aspect, the electronic controller is configuredto switch to the second control state upon determining the secondparameter is a prescribed value or greater while in the first controlstate.

The eighth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suppress the change of the transmission ratio upondetermining the second parameter is the prescribed value or greater.

In a ninth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device accordingto any one of the first to the eighth aspects, the electronic controlleris configured to switch between the first control state and the secondcontrol state in accordance with an output of an eighth detection unit,which detects a connection between a rider's shoe and a shoe connectionmechanism of the pedal as information relating to the pedalingpreparation state.

The ninth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suitably detect the connection with the shoe connectionmechanism on the pedal by means of the eighth detection unit.

In a tenth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device accordingto the ninth aspect, the electronic controller is configured to switchto the second control state while in the first control state upondetermining at least one shoe of the rider is removed from the shoeconnection mechanism.

The tenth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suppress the change of the transmission ratio upondetermining at least one shoe of the rider is removed from the shoeconnection mechanism.

In an eleventh aspect of the human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to any one of the first to the nineteenth aspects, the firstprescribed set of conditions include a travel state and a travelenvironment of the human-powered vehicle.

The eleventh aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to suitably control the transmission upon determining in thefirst control state in accordance with the travel state and the travelenvironment of the human-powered vehicle.

In a twelfth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to any one of the first to the eleventh aspects, theelectronic controller is configured to control the transmission to notchange the transmission ratio in accordance with the first prescribedset of conditions while in the second control state.

The twelfth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to further suppress the change of the transmission ratio upondetermining in the second control state.

In a thirteenth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to the twelfth aspect, the electronic controller is configuredto control the transmission to change the transmission ratio upondetermining a parameter related to a travel state and a travelenvironment of the human-powered vehicle is outside of a first rangewhile in the first control state, and the electronic controller isconfigured to control the transmission to change the transmission ratioupon determining the parameter is outside a second range, which is widerthan the first range, while in the second control state.

The thirteenth aspect of the human-powered vehicle control device isconfigured to further suppress the change of the transmission ratio upondetermining in the second control state.

The human-powered vehicle control device according to a fourteenthaspect of the present invention comprises an electronic controller thatis configured to control a transmission that changes a transmissionratio of a human-powered vehicle, wherein the electronic controller isconfigured to switch between a first control state that controls thetransmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a firstprescribed set of conditions, and a second control state that controlsthe transmission to suppress the change of the transmission ratio ascompared to the electronic controller being in the first control statein accordance with a second prescribed set of conditions. The electroniccontroller is configured to select between one of a first mode forswitching from the first control state to the second control state upondetermining the second prescribed set of conditions is met, and a secondmode in which the first control state is maintained even upondetermining the second prescribed set of conditions is met, inaccordance with an instruction from a rider.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the human-powered vehicle controldevice, the rider can select between the first mode and the second mode.

The human-powered vehicle control device according to the presentinvention is configured to suitably control the transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a human-powered vehicle thatincludes a human-powered vehicle control device according to anillustrated embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of thehuman-powered vehicle control device according to the illustratedembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process for changing a transmission ratio ina first control state that is executed by an electronic controller ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the process for changing the transmissionratio in a second control state that is executed by the electroniccontroller of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process for switching between a firstcontrol state and a second control state in a first example executed bythe electronic controller of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state in a second exampleexecuted by the electronic controller of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state according to oneexample of a third example executed by the electronic controller of FIG.2 .

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state according to anotherexample of the third example executed by the electronic controller ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state in a fourth exampleexecuted by the electronic controller of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state according to oneexample of a fifth example executed by the electronic controller of FIG.2 .

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state according to anotherexample of the fifth example executed by the electronic controller ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state according to oneexample of a sixth example executed by the electronic controller of FIG.2 .

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state according to anotherexample of the sixth example executed by the electronic controller ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state in a seventh exampleexecuted by the electronic controller of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state in an eighth exampleexecuted by the electronic controller of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state in a ninth exampleexecuted by the electronic controller of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a control process for switching between thefirst control state and the second control state if it is possible toselect between a first mode and a second mode executed by the electroniccontroller of FIG. 2 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle field fromthis disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

A human-powered vehicle control device 50 according to an embodimentwill be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 . The human-poweredvehicle control device 50 will hereinafter be referred to simply as thecontrol device 50. The control device 50 is provided in a human-poweredvehicle 10. The human-powered vehicle 10 is a vehicle that can be drivenat least by a human drive force. The human-powered vehicle 10 includes,for example, a bicycle. The number of wheels is not limited, and thehuman-powered vehicle 10 includes a vehicle having one wheel, or threeor more wheels. Examples of the human-powered vehicle 10 include varioustypes of bicycles, such as mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, cargobikes, and recumbent bikes, as well as electric-assist bicycles(E-bikes). Hereinbelow, the human-powered vehicle 10 is described as abicycle in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the human-powered vehicle 10 comprises a vehiclebody 12, a crank 14, and a drive wheel 16. The vehicle body 12 includesa frame 18, a front fork 20, a handle 22A, and a stem 22B. A human driveforce H is input to the crank 14. The crank 14 includes a crankshaft 14Athat can be rotated relative to the frame 18, and crank arms 14B thatare respectively provided at the axial ends of the crankshaft 14A. Apedal 24 is connected to each of the crank arms 14B. The drive wheel 16is driven by means of rotation of the crank 14. The drive wheel 16 issupported by the frame 18. The crank 14 and the drive wheel 16 areconnected by a drive mechanism 26. The drive mechanism 26 includes afirst rotating body 28 that is coupled to the crankshaft 14A. Thecrankshaft 14A and the first rotating body 28 also can be coupled via afirst one-way clutch. The first one-way clutch is configured such thatthe first rotating body 28 is rotated forward upon the crank 14 beingrotated forward, and that the first rotating body 28 is prevented fromrotating backward upon the crank 14 being rotated backward. The firstrotating body 28 includes a sprocket, a pulley, or a bevel gear. Thedrive mechanism 26 further includes a second rotating body 30 and aconnecting member 32. The connecting member 32 transmits a rotationalforce of the first rotating body 28 to the second rotating body 30.Examples of the connecting member 32 include a chain, a belt, and ashaft.

The second rotating body 30 is connected to the drive wheel 16. Thesecond rotating body 30 includes a sprocket, a pulley, or a bevel gear.A second one-way clutch is preferably provided between the secondrotating body 30 and the drive wheel 16. The second one-way clutch isconfigured such that the drive wheel 16 is rotated forward upon thesecond rotating body 30 being rotated forward and such that the drivewheel 16 is prevented from rotating backward upon the second rotatingbody 30 being rotated backward.

The human-powered vehicle 10 comprises a front wheel and a rear wheel.The front wheel is attached to the frame 18 via the front fork 20. Thehandle 22A is connected to the front fork 20 via the stem 22B. In thefollowing embodiment, the rear wheel is described as the drive wheel 16,but the front wheel can be the drive wheel 16.

The human-powered vehicle 10 includes a transmission 34. Thetransmission 34 is configured to be driven by an electric actuator 36(refer to FIG. 2 ). The transmission 34 constitutes a transmissiondevice together with the electric actuator 36. The electric actuator 36includes an electric motor. The transmission 34 is used for changing atransmission ratio R of a rotational speed of the drive wheel 16relative to a rotational speed N of the crank 14. The transmission 34 isconfigured to change the transmission ratio R in stepwise fashion. Theelectric actuator 36 causes the transmission 34 to execute a shiftingoperation. The transmission 34 is controlled by an electronic controller52 of the control device 50. The electronic controller 52 willhereinafter be referred to simply as the controller 52. The electricactuator 36 is connected so as to be capable of communication with thecontroller 52 by means of wired or wireless communication. The electricactuator 36 is capable of communication with the controller 52 by meansof, for example, power line communication (PLC). The electric actuator36 causes the transmission 34 to execute the shifting operation inaccordance with a control signal from the controller 52. Thetransmission 34 includes at least one of an internal transmission and anexternal transmission (derailleur). The transmission 34 includes atleast one of a rear transmission 34A and a front transmission. The reartransmission 34A changes a ratio of the rotational speed of the drivewheel 16 relative to the rotational speed N of the crank 14.Specifically, the rear transmission 34A changes the ratio of the turningradius of the second rotating body 30 that is connected to theconnecting member 32 relative to the turning radius of the drive wheel16. The transmission 34 can include the front transmission. The fronttransmission changes the ratio of the rotational speed of the drivewheel 16 relative to the rotational speed N of the crank 14.Specifically, the front transmission changes the ratio of the turningradius of the first rotating body 28 that is connected to the connectingmember 32 relative to the turning radius of the crank 14. Thetransmission 34 can include both the rear transmission 34A and the fronttransmission.

The human-powered vehicle 10 can include a shock absorber 38. The shockabsorber 38 includes at least one of a first damping unit 40 and asecond damping unit 42. The shock absorber 38 absorbs shock that isapplied to the wheel. The first damping unit 40 is configured to beprovided between the rear wheel and the frame 18 of the human-poweredvehicle 10. The first damping unit 40 collects the shock that is appliedto the rear wheel. The first damping unit 40 includes a first portion40A, and a second portion 40B, which is fitted in the first portion 40Aand that can move relative to the first portion 40A. The first dampingunit 40 can be a hydraulic suspension or an air suspension. The seconddamping unit 42 is configured to be provided between the front wheel andthe frame 18 of the human-powered vehicle 10. More specifically, thesecond damping unit 42 is provided on the front fork 20. The seconddamping unit 42 absorbs the shock that is applied to the front wheel.The second damping unit 42 includes a first portion 42A, and a secondportion 42B, which is fitted in the first portion 42A and that can moverelative to the first portion 42A. The second damping unit 42 can be ahydraulic suspension or an air suspension.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the human-powered vehicle 10 further comprises abattery 44. The battery 44 includes one or a plurality of battery cells.The battery cell includes a rechargeable battery. The battery 44 isprovided on the human-powered vehicle 10 and supplies electric power toother electrical components that are electrically connected to thebattery 44 by wire, such as the transmission 34 and the control device50. The battery 44 is connected so as to be capable of communicationwith the controller 52 of the control device 50 by means of wired orwireless communication. The battery 44 is capable of communication withthe controller 52 by means of, for example, power line communication(PLC). The battery 44 can be attached to the outside of the frame 18, orat least a portion thereof can be accommodated inside the frame 18.

As mentioned above, the control device 50 comprises the controller 52.The controller 52 includes a calculation processing device (one or moreprocessors) that executes a prestored control program. The calculationprocessing device comprises, for example, a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The controller 52 can includeone or a plurality of microcomputers. The controller 52 can include aplurality of calculation processing devices that are arranged in aplurality of separate locations. The terms “electronic controller” or“controller” as used herein refers to hardware that executes a softwareprogram. The terms “electronic controller” or “controller” as usedherein do not include humans. The control device 50 further comprises astorage unit 54. The storage unit 54 stores control programs andinformation used for various control processes. The storage unit 54 isany computer storage device or any computer readable medium with thesole exception of a transitory, propagating signal. The storage unit 54includes, for example, nonvolatile memory and volatile memory, and canincludes a ROM (Read Only Memory) device, a RAM (Random Access Memory)device, a hard disk, a flash drive, etc. The controller 52 and thestorage unit 54 are provided, for example, in the transmission 34.

The controller 52 controls the transmission 34, which changes thetransmission ratio R of the human-powered vehicle 10. The controller 52is configured to switch between a first control state and a secondcontrol state, in accordance with at least one of the motion state ofthe vehicle body 12 of the human-powered vehicle 10, the steering stateof the human-powered vehicle 10, the surface condition of a travel pathon which the human-powered vehicle 10 travels, and the pedalingpreparation state relating to the pedals 24 of the human-powered vehicle10. In the first control state, the controller 52 controls thetransmission 34 to change the transmission ratio R in accordance with afirst prescribed set of conditions. In the second control state, thecontroller 52 controls the transmission 34 to suppress the change of thetransmission ratio R as compared to in the first control state. In thecase that the transmission 34 includes both the rear transmission 34Aand the front transmission, the controller 52 can control either therear transmission 34A or the front transmission in accordance with thefirst prescribed set of conditions, or control the rear transmission 34Aand/or the front transmission.

The motion state of the vehicle body 12 of the human-powered vehicle 10indicates a state that affects the kinetic energy of the vehicle body 12of the human-powered vehicle 10. The motion state of the vehicle body 12of the human-powered vehicle 10 includes at least one of, for example,the attitude of the vehicle body 12 with respect to the travel path, achange in the attitude of the vehicle body 12 with respect to the travelpath, the contact state between the travel path and the wheel of thehuman-powered vehicle 10, the rider's posture, and a change in therider's posture. The steering state of the human-powered vehicle 10indicates a state related to the operation of the handle 22A by therider. The steering state of the human-powered vehicle 10 includes atleast one of a steering angle SA of the handle 22A of the human-poweredvehicle 10, and the rider's gripping state of the handle 22A of thehuman-powered vehicle 10. The surface condition of the travel path onwhich the human-powered vehicle 10 travels indicates the surfacecondition of the travel path that affects the behavior of thehuman-powered vehicle 10. The surface condition of the travel path onwhich the human-powered vehicle 10 travels includes at least one of, forexample, the friction coefficient of the surface of the travel path, awet state of the travel path, a snow-packed state of the travel path,and a paved state of the travel path. The pedaling preparation staterelating to the pedals 24 of the human-powered vehicle 10 indicates astate related to the equipping of at least one of the human-poweredvehicle 10 and the rider related to pedaling. The pedaling preparationstate relating to the pedals 24 of the human-powered vehicle 10 includesat least one of, for example, a state relating to the connection betweenthe rider's shoe and a shoe connection mechanism on the pedals 24, thetype of the connecting portion of the shoe that is connected to the shoeconnection mechanism, and a state of deterioration of the connectingportion of the shoe.

The first prescribed set of conditions includes a travel state and atravel environment of the human-powered vehicle 10. In the first controlstate, the controller 52 controls the transmission 34 to change thetransmission ratio R if a parameter P relating to the travel state andthe travel environment of the human-powered vehicle 10 is outside of afirst range. The parameter P includes at least one of, for example, arotational speed N of the crank 14, the human drive force H, and a roadsurface gradient. The control device 50 preferably further comprises adetection unit 56 for detecting the parameter P. The controller 52preferably controls the transmission 34 such that the parameter Pchanges to within the first range, if the parameter P is outside of thefirst range.

In the case that the parameter P includes the rotational speed N of thecrank 14, the controller 52 controls the transmission 34 such that thetransmission ratio R increases if the rotational speed N of the crank 14becomes greater than an upper limit value of the first range, andcontrols the transmission 34 such that the transmission ratio Rdecreases if the rotational speed N of the crank 14 becomes smaller thana lower limit value of the first range. In this case, the detection unit56 includes a crank rotation sensor 56A.

The crank rotation sensor 56A is used for detecting the rotational speedN of the crank 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The crank rotationsensor 56A is, for example, attached to the frame 18 of thehuman-powered vehicle 10. The crank rotation sensor 56A is configured toinclude a magnetic sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to themagnetic field strength. An annular magnet in which the magnetic fieldstrength changes in the circumferential direction is provided on thecrankshaft 14A or on a power transmission path extending from thecrankshaft 14A to the first rotating body 28. The crank rotation sensor56A is connected so as to be capable of communication with thecontroller 52 by means of wired or wireless communication. The crankrotation sensor 56A outputs a signal corresponding to the rotationalspeed N of the crank 14 to the controller 52. The crank rotation sensor56A can be provided on a member that rotates integrally with thecrankshaft 14A on a power transmission path of the human drive force Hextending from the crankshaft 14A to the first rotating body 28. Forexample, in the case that the first one-way clutch is not providedbetween the crankshaft 14A and the first rotating body 28, the crankrotation sensor 56A can be provided on the first rotating body 28.

In the case that the parameter P includes the human drive force H, thecontroller 52 controls the transmission 34 such that the transmissionratio R decreases if the human drive force H becomes greater than theupper limit value of the first range, and controls the transmission 34such that the transmission ratio R increases if the human drive force Hbecomes smaller than the lower limit value of the first range. In thiscase, the detection unit 56 includes a torque sensor 56B.

The torque sensor 56B is used for detecting the torque of the humandrive force H. The torque sensor 56B is, for example, provided on thecrankshaft 14A. The torque sensor 56B detects the torque of the humandrive force H that is input to the crank 14. For example, in the casethat the first one-way clutch is provided on the power transmissionpath, the torque sensor 56B is provided on the upstream side of firstone-way clutch. The torque sensor 56B includes a strain sensor, amagnetostrictive sensor, or the like. The strain sensor includes astrain gauge. In the case that the torque sensor 56B includes the strainsensor, the strain sensor is preferably provided on the outer peripheralportion of a rotating body included in the power transmission path. Thetorque sensor 56B can include a wireless or wired communication unit.The communication unit of the torque sensor 56B is configured to becapable of communicating with the controller 52.

In the case that the parameter P includes the road surface gradient, thecontroller 52 controls the transmission 34 such that the transmissionratio R decreases if the road surface gradient becomes greater than theupper limit value of the first range, and controls the transmission 34such that the transmission ratio R increases if the road surfacegradient becomes smaller than the lower limit value of the first range.In this case, the detection unit 56 includes a gradient sensor 56C.

The gradient sensor 56C is used for detecting the gradient of the roadsurface on which the human-powered vehicle 10 travels. The gradientsensor 56C includes a tilt sensor for detecting the pitch angle of thehuman-powered vehicle 10. The tilt sensor can detect the pitch angle ofthe human-powered vehicle 10 as the gradient of the road surface onwhich the human-powered vehicle 10 travels. The gradient of the roadsurface on which the human-powered vehicle 10 travels can be detected bythe pitch angle of the human-powered vehicle 10 in the travel direction.The gradient of the road surface on which the human-powered vehicle 10travels corresponds to the tilt angle of the human-powered vehicle 10.The gradient sensor 56C includes the tilt sensor. One example of thetilt sensor is a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor. In anotherexample, the gradient sensor 56C includes a GPS (Global PositioningSystem) receiver. The controller 52 can calculate the gradient of theroad surface on which the human-powered vehicle 10 travels in accordancewith GPS information acquired by the GPS receiver and the road surfacegradient that is included in map information that is prestored in thestorage unit 54.

According to one example, the controller 52 controls the transmission 34to not change the transmission ratio R in accordance with the firstprescribed set of conditions, if in the second control state. In thiscase, the controller 52 does not control the transmission 34 even if theparameter P is outside of the first range.

The process for changing the transmission ratio R in the first controlstate will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . If electric power issupplied to the controller 52 from the battery 44, then the controller52 initiates the process and proceeds to Step S11 of the flow chartshown in FIG. 3 . The controller 52 executes the process from Step S11each prescribed cycle as long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S11. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S12.

In Step S12, the controller 52 determines whether the parameter P isoutside of the first range. If the parameter P is outside of the firstrange, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S13. In Step S13, thecontroller 52 controls the transmission 34 to change the transmissionratio R and ends the process. In Step S13, the controller 52 does notcontrol the transmission 34 if the transmission ratio R cannot bechanged. For example, the controller 52 does not control thetransmission 34, if attempting to increase the transmission ratio R inorder to change the parameter P to be within the first range, but thetransmission ratio R is at the maximum transmission ratio R. Forexample, the controller 52 does not control the transmission 34, ifattempting to decrease the transmission ratio R in order to change theparameter P to be within the first range, but the transmission ratio Ris at the minimum transmission ratio R.

If it is not in the first control state in Step S11, then the controller52 ends the process without controlling the transmission 34.Accordingly, the controller 52 does not control the transmission 34 ifit is in the second control state.

In another example, if in the second control state, if the parameter Pis outside a second range, which is wider than the first range, thecontroller 52 controls the transmission 34 to change the transmissionratio R. Specifically, the upper limit value of the second range islarger than the upper limit value of the first range, or the lower limitvalue of the second range is smaller than the lower limit value of thesecond range, or the upper limit value of the second range is largerthan the upper limit value of the first range and the lower limit valueof second range is smaller than the lower limit value of the secondrange. In this case, the process shown in FIG. 4 is executed in additionto the process shown in FIG. 3 .

The process for changing the transmission ratio R in the second controlstate will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . If electric power issupplied to the controller 52 from the battery 44, then the controller52 initiates the process and proceeds to Step S21 of the flow chartshown in FIG. 4 . The controller 52 executes the process from Step S21each prescribed cycle as long as the electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the second control statein Step S21. If it is not in the second control state in Step S21, thenthe controller 52 ends the process. If it is not in the second controlstate, then the controller 52 ends the process. If it is in the secondcontrol state, the controller 52 proceeds to Step S22.

In Step S22, the controller 52 determines whether the parameter P isoutside of the second range. If the parameter P is outside of the secondrange, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S23. In Step S23, thecontroller 52 controls the transmission 34 to change the transmissionratio R and ends the process. In Step S23, the controller 52 does notcontrol the transmission 34 if the transmission ratio R cannot bechanged. For example, the controller 52 does not control thetransmission 34 if attempting to increase the transmission ratio R inorder to change the parameter P to be within the second range but thetransmission ratio R is at the maximum transmission ratio R. Forexample, the controller 52 does not control the transmission 34 ifattempting to decrease the transmission ratio R in order to change theparameter P to be within the second range but the transmission ratio Ris at the minimum transmission ratio R.

The controller 52, if in the first control state, switches to the secondcontrol state if a condition for switching to the second control state,relating to at least one of the motion state of the vehicle body 12 ofthe human-powered vehicle 10, the steering state of the human-poweredvehicle 10, the surface condition of the travel path on which thehuman-powered vehicle 10 travels, and the pedaling preparation staterelating to the pedals 24 of the human-powered vehicle 10, is met. Thecontroller 52, if in the second control state, switches to the firstcontrol state if a condition for switching to the first control state ismet. The condition for switching to the second control state and thecondition for switching to the first control state can be opposingconditions. The condition for switching to the second control state canuse a determination value that is different from that of the conditionfor switching to the first control state. The condition for switching tothe second control state can be different from the condition forswitching to the first control state.

The motion state includes at least one of the attitude of the vehiclebody 12 with respect to the travel path and a change in the attitude.The attitude of the vehicle body 12 with respect to the travel pathincludes at least one of a yaw angle DY of the vehicle body 12 and aroll angle DR of the vehicle body 12.

The controller 52 switches between the first control state and thesecond control state in accordance with an output of a first detectionunit 58, which detects at least one of the yaw angle DY and the rollangle DR as information relating to the motion state. In this case, thecontrol device 50 preferably further includes the first detection unit58. In one example, the first detection unit 58 includes the tiltsensor. One example of the tilt sensor is a gyro sensor or anacceleration sensor. The first detection unit 58 is configured similarlyto the tilt sensor of the gradient sensor 56C. If the gradient sensor56C includes the tilt sensor, the first detection unit 58 can beintegrated with the gradient sensor 56C.

In the first example, the controller 52, if in the first control state,switches to the second control state if at least one of the yaw angle DYof the vehicle body 12 and the roll angle DR of the vehicle body 12 isgreater than a first angle DX. For example, at least one of the yawangle DY and the roll angle DR becomes large if the human-poweredvehicle 10 is turning, is in a slalom, or is passing through a tightcorner. If the first angle DX corresponds to the yaw angle DY, the firstangle DX is set to an angle that corresponds to the yaw angle DY if thehuman-powered vehicle 10 is turning, is in a slalom, or is passingthrough a tight corner. If the first angle DX corresponds to the rollangle DR, the first angle DX is set to an angle that corresponds to theroll angle DR if the human-powered vehicle 10 is turning, is in aslalom, or is passing through a tight corner.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to the first example will be described withreference to FIG. 5 . If electric power is supplied to the controller 52from the battery 44, the controller 52 initiates the process andproceeds to Step S31 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 5 . The controller52 executes the process from Step S31 each prescribed cycle as long asthe electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S31. If it is not in the first control state, the controller 52ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S32.

In Step S32, the controller 52 determines whether at least one of theyaw angle DY and the roll angle DR is greater than the first angle DX.If at least one of the yaw angle DY and the roll angle DR is not greaterthan the yaw angle DY nor the roll angle DR is greater than the firstangle DX, then the controller 52 ends the process. If at least one ofthe yaw angle DY and the roll angle DR is greater than the first angleDX, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S33.

The controller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S33 if the yawangle DY is greater than the first angle DX in Step S32. The controller52 can be configured to proceed to Step S33 if the roll angle DR isgreater than the first angle DX. The controller 52 can be configured toproceed to Step S33 if the yaw angle DY is greater than the first angleDX that is set with respect to the yaw angle DY, and the roll angle DRis greater than the first angle DX that is set with respect to the rollangle DR.

In Step S33, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S34. In Step S34, the controller 52 determines whetherthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. In thecase that the condition for switching to the first control state is theopposite of the condition for switching to the second control state, thecondition for switching to the first control state is satisfied if theat least one of the yaw angle DY and the roll angle DR is not greaterthan the first angle DX. The controller 52 repeats the determinationprocess of Step S34 until the condition for switching to the firstcontrol state is met. If the condition for switching to the firstcontrol state is met, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S35. InStep S35, the controller 52 switches to the first control state and endsthe process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S34 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S33.

In the second example, the controller 52, if in the first control state,switches to the second control state if at least one of the yaw angle DYand the roll angle DR repeatedly increases and decreases within a firstperiod of time T1. For example, in the case that the human-poweredvehicle 10 is wobbling, or traveling in a location where there are manyobstacles, such as in the city, at least one of the yaw angle DY and theroll angle DR frequently increases and decreases. The first period oftime T1 is set to a period of time with which it is possible todetermine a repeated increase and decrease of the yaw angle DY and theroll angle DR, in the case that the human-powered vehicle 10 iswobbling, or traveling in a location where there are many obstacles,such as in the city. For example, the controller 52 determines that atleast one of the yaw angle DY and the roll angle DR has repeatedlyincreased and decreased within the first period of time T1 if anincrease of a first prescribed angle or more as well as a decrease of asecond prescribed angle or more have respectively occurred a prescribednumber of times or more in at least one of the yaw angle DY and the rollangle DR, within the first period of time T1.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to the second example will be described withreference to FIG. 6 . If electric power is supplied to the controller 52from the battery 44, the controller 52 initiates the process andproceeds to Step S41 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 6 . The controller52 executes the process from Step S41 each prescribed cycle as long aselectric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S41. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S42.

In Step S42, the controller 52 determines whether at least one of theyaw angle DY and the roll angle DR has repeatedly increased anddecreased within the first period of time T1. If at least one of the yawangle DY and the roll angle DR has not repeatedly increased anddecreased within the first period of time T1, then the controller 52ends the process. If at least one of the yaw angle DY and the roll angleDR has repeatedly increased and decreased within the first period oftime T1, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S43.

The controller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S43, if the yawangle DY repeatedly increases and decreases within the first period oftime T1 in Step S42. The controller 52 can be configured to proceed toStep S43 if the roll angle DR repeatedly increases and decreases withinthe first period of time T1. The controller 52 can be configured toproceed to Step S43 if both the yaw angle DY and the roll angle DRrepeatedly increase and decrease within the first period of time T1.

In Step S43, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S44. In Step S44, the controller 52 determines whetherthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. In thecase that the condition for switching to the first control state is theopposite of the condition for switching to the second control state, thecondition for switching to the first control state is satisfied if theat least one of the yaw angle DY and the roll angle DR has notrepeatedly increased and decreased within the first period of time T1.The controller 52 repeats the determination process of Step S44 untilthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. If thecondition for switching to the first control state is met, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S45. In Step S45, the controller 52switches to the first control state and ends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S44 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S43.

In the third example, the controller 52 switches between the firstcontrol state and the second control state in accordance with an outputof a second detection unit 60, which detects at least one of the pitchangle DP of the vehicle body 12, the vertical displacement of thevehicle body 12, and the suspension stroke amount L as informationrelating to the motion state. In this case, the control device 50preferably further includes the second detection unit 60.

In the case that the second detection unit 60 detects the pitch angleDP, the second detection unit 60 includes the tilt sensor. One exampleof the tilt sensor is a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor. Thesecond detection unit 60 is configured similarly to the tilt sensor ofthe gradient sensor 56C. If the gradient sensor 56C includes the tiltsensor, then the second detection unit 60 can be integrated with thegradient sensor 56C.

In the case that the second detection unit 60 detects the verticaldisplacement of the vehicle body 12, the second detection unit 60includes the acceleration sensor. If the control device 50 includes thefirst detection unit 58 and the first detection unit 58 includes theacceleration sensor that detects the vertical acceleration of thehuman-powered vehicle 10, the second detection unit 60 can be integratedwith the first detection unit 58. If the gradient sensor 56C includesthe acceleration sensor that detects the vertical acceleration of thehuman-powered vehicle 10, then the second detection unit 60 can beintegrated with the gradient sensor 56C.

In the case that the second detection unit 60 detects the suspensionstroke amount L, the second detection unit 60 detects the position ofone of either the first portions 40A, 42A or the second portions 40B,42B relative to the other portions, that is, either the second portions40B, 42B or the first portions 40A, 42A. The second detection unit 60includes, for example, a linear encoder.

In one example of the third example, in the first control state, thecontroller 52 switches to the second control state if at least one ofthe pitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12, a value relating to a rate ofchange of the pitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12, the verticaldisplacement of the vehicle body 12, a value relating to the rate ofchange of the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, thesuspension stroke amount L, and a value relating to the rate of changeof the suspension stroke amount L, becomes greater than or equal to afirst prescribed value. The value relating to the rate of change of thepitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12 includes the rate of change of thepitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12 as well as a value obtained bydifferentiating the rate of change with respect to time at least once.The value relating to the rate of change of the vertical displacement ofthe vehicle body 12 includes the rate of change of the verticaldisplacement of the vehicle body 12 as well as a value obtained bydifferentiating the rate of change with respect to time at least once.The value relating to the rate of change of the suspension stroke amountL includes the rate of change of the suspension stroke amount L as wellas a value obtained by differentiating the rate of change with respectto time at least once.

For example, if the human-powered vehicle 10 rides up onto an obstacleor travels over a step, then at least one of the pitch angle DP of thevehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change of the pitchangle DP of the vehicle body 12, the vertical displacement of thevehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change of thevertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, the suspension strokeamount L, and the value relating to the rate of change of the suspensionstroke amount L becomes large. The first prescribed value is set to avalue that is suitable for the pitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12,the value relating to the rate of change of the pitch angle DP of thevehicle body 12, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, thevalue relating to the rate of change of the vertical displacement of thevehicle body 12, the suspension stroke amount L, or the value relatingto the rate of change of the suspension stroke amount L, if thehuman-powered vehicle 10 rides up onto an obstacle or travels over astep. The first prescribed value can be changed based on a vehicle speedV of the human-powered vehicle 10. For example, the controller 52 setsthe first prescribed value to be larger if the vehicle speed V isgreater than or equal to a prescribed speed VA as compared to if thevehicle speed V is less than the prescribed speed VA. For example, thecontroller 52 sets the first prescribed value to be smaller if thevehicle speed V is greater than or equal to the prescribed speed VA ascompared to if the vehicle speed V is less than the prescribed speed VA.The controller 52, if in the first control state, can be configured toswitch to the second control state, if at least one of the pitch angleDP of the vehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change ofthe pitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12, the vertical displacement ofthe vehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change of thevertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, the suspension strokeamount L, and the value relating to the rate of change of the suspensionstroke amount L becomes greater than or equal to the first prescribedvalue, and if the vehicle speed V is less than the prescribed speed VA.In the first control state, if at least one of the pitch angle DP of thevehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change of the pitchangle DP of the vehicle body 12, the vertical displacement of thevehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change of thevertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, the suspension strokeamount L, and the value relating to the rate of change of the suspensionstroke amount L becomes greater than or equal to the first prescribedvalue, and if the vehicle speed V is greater than or equal to theprescribed speed VA, then the controller 52 can be configured to switchto the second control state.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to one example of the third example will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 7 . If electric power is supplied tothe controller 52 from the battery 44, then the controller 52 initiatesthe process and proceeds to Step S151 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 7. The controller 52 executes the process from Step S151 each prescribedcycle as long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S151. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S152.

In Step S152, the controller 52 determines whether at least one of thepitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate ofchange of the pitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12, the verticaldisplacement of the vehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate ofchange of the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, thesuspension stroke amount L, and the value relating to the rate of changeof the suspension stroke amount L, has become greater than or equal tothe first prescribed value. If none of the pitch angle DP of the vehiclebody 12, the value relating to the rate of change of the pitch angle DPof the vehicle body 12, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body12, the value relating to the rate of change of the verticaldisplacement of the vehicle body 12, the suspension stroke amount L, andthe value relating to the rate of change of the suspension stroke amountL has become greater than or equal to the first prescribed value, thenthe controller 52 ends the process. If at least one of the pitch angleDP of the vehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change ofthe pitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12, the vertical displacement ofthe vehicle body 12, the value relating to the rate of change of thevertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, the suspension strokeamount L, and the value relating to the rate of change of the suspensionstroke amount L has become greater than or equal to the first prescribedvalue, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S153.

The controller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S153 if the pitchangle DP repeatedly increases and decreases within a second period oftime T2 in Step S152. The controller 52 can be configured to proceed toStep S153 if the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12 repeatedlyincreases and decreases within the second period of time T2. Thecontroller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S153 if thesuspension stroke amount L repeatedly increases and decreases within thesecond period of time T2. The controller 52 can be configured to proceedto Step S153 if two or more predetermined values from among the pitchangle DP, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, and thesuspension stroke amount L repeatedly increase and decrease within thesecond period of time T2 in Step S152.

In Step S153, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S154. In Step S154, the controller 52 determineswhether the condition for switching to the first control state is met.In the case that the condition for switching to the first control stateis the opposite of the condition for switching to the second controlstate, the condition for switching to the first control state issatisfied if the at least one of the pitch angle DP of the vehicle body12, the value relating to the rate of change of the pitch angle DP ofthe vehicle body 12, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12,the value relating to the rate of change of the vertical displacement ofthe vehicle body 12, the suspension stroke amount L, and the valuerelating to the rate of change of the suspension stroke amount L is lessthan the first prescribed value. The controller 52 repeats thedetermination process of Step S154 until the condition for switching tothe first control state is met. If the condition for switching to thefirst control state is met, then the controller 52 proceeds to StepS155. In Step S155, the controller 52 switches to the first controlstate and ends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S154, if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S153.

In another example of the third example, in the first control state, ifat least one of pitch angle DP of the vehicle body 12, the verticaldisplacement of the vehicle body 12, and the suspension stroke amount Lrepeatedly increases and decreases within the second period of time T2,the controller 52 switches to the second control state.

For example, if the human-powered vehicle 10 travels on an uneven road,at least one of the pitch angle DP, the vertical displacement of thevehicle body 12, and the suspension stroke amount L frequently increasesand decreases. The second period of time T2 is set to a period of timewith which it is possible to determine a repeated increase and decreaseof the pitch angle DP, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12,and the suspension stroke amount L if the human-powered vehicle 10travels on an uneven road. For example, the controller 52 determinesthat at least one of the pitch angle DP, the vertical displacement ofthe vehicle body 12, and the suspension stroke amount L has repeatedlyincreased and decreased within the second period of time T2 if anincrease of a second prescribed value or more as well as a decrease of athird prescribed value or more have respectively occurred a prescribednumber of times or more in at least one of the pitch angle DP, thevertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, and the suspension strokeamount L, within the second period of time T2.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to another example of the third example will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 8 . If electric power is supplied tothe controller 52 from the battery 44, then the controller 52 initiatesthe process and proceeds to Step S51 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 8 .The controller 52 executes the process from Step S51 each prescribedcycle as long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S51. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S52.

In Step S52, the controller 52 determines whether at least one of thepitch angle DP, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, andthe suspension stroke amount L has repeatedly increased and decreasedwithin the second period of time T2. If none of the pitch angle DP, thevertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, and the suspension strokeamount L has repeatedly increased and decreased within the second periodof time T2, then the controller 52 ends the process. If at least one ofthe pitch angle DP, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12,and the suspension stroke amount L has repeatedly increased anddecreased within the second period of time T2, then the controller 52proceeds to Step S53.

The controller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S53 if the pitchangle DP repeatedly increases and decreases within the second period oftime T2 in Step S52. The controller 52 can be configured to proceed toStep S53 if the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12 repeatedlyincreases and decreases within the second period of time T2. Thecontroller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S53 if the suspensionstroke amount L repeatedly increases and decreases within the secondperiod of time T2. The controller 52 can be configured to proceed toStep S53 if two or more predetermined values from among the pitch angleDP, the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 12, and the suspensionstroke amount L repeatedly increase and decrease within the secondperiod of time T2 in Step S52.

In Step S53, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S54. In Step S54, the controller 52 determines whetherthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. In thecase that the condition for switching to the first control state is theopposite of the condition for switching to the second control state, thecondition for switching to the first control state is satisfied if theat least one of the pitch angle DP, the vertical displacement of thevehicle body 12, and the suspension stroke amount L does not repeatedlyincrease and decrease within the second period of time T2. Thecontroller 52 repeats the determination process of Step S54 until thecondition for switching to the first control state is met. If thecondition for switching to the first control state is met, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S55. In Step S55, the controller 52switches to the first control state and ends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S54 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S53.

In the fourth example, the controller 52 switches between the firstcontrol state and the second control state in accordance with an outputof a third detection unit 62, which detects the contact state betweenthe travel path and the wheel of the human-powered vehicle 10 asinformation relating to the motion state. In the first control state,the controller 52 switches to the second control state if the wheelleaves the travel path. In this case, the control device 50 preferablyfurther includes the third detection unit 62. The third detection unit62 detects at least one of the load applied to a hub shaft, the loadapplied to the shock absorber 38, and tire air pressure. In the casethat the wheel leaves the travel path due to a front wheel lift, awheelie, or the like, the load applied to the hub shaft and the loadapplied to the shock absorber 38 decrease. In addition, if the wheelleaves the travel path, the tire air pressure decreases. In the firstcontrol state, if the load applied to the hub shaft becomes less than orequal to a first load, if the load applied to the shock absorber 38becomes less than or equal to a second load, and/or if the air pressureof the tire becomes less than or equal to a prescribed pressure, thenthe controller 52 switches to the second control state. The first load,the second load, and the prescribed pressure are set to values thatcorrespond to the respective values if the wheel leaves the travel path.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to the fourth example will be described withreference to FIG. 9 . If electric power is supplied to the controller 52from the battery 44, the controller 52 initiates the process andproceeds to Step S61 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 9 . The controller52 executes the process from Step S61 each prescribed cycle as long aselectric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S61. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S62.

The controller 52 determines whether the wheel has left the travel pathin Step S62. If the wheel has not left the travel path, then thecontroller 52 ends the process. If the wheel has left the travel path,then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S63.

In Step S63, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S64. In Step S64, the controller 52 determines whetherthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. In thecase that the condition for switching to the first control state is theopposite of the condition for switching to the second control state, thecondition for switching to the first control state is satisfied if thewheel has not left the travel path. The controller 52 repeats thedetermination process of Step S64 until the condition for switching tothe first control state is met. If the condition for switching to thefirst control state is met, the controller 52 proceeds to Step S65. InStep S65, the controller 52 switches to the first control state and endsthe process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S64 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S63.

In the fifth example, the controller 52 switches between the firstcontrol state and the second control state in accordance with an outputof a fourth detection unit 64, which detects a first parameter P1, whichchanges according to the rider's posture change, as information relatingto the motion state. The controller 52, if in the first control state,switches to the second control state if the first parameter P1 enters astate that corresponds to the rider riding out of the saddle. In thiscase, the control device 50 preferably further includes the fourthdetection unit 64.

In one example of the fifth example, the first parameter P1 includes thehuman drive force H that is input to the human-powered vehicle 10. Inthe first control state, if the magnitude of the human drive force Hbecomes a first value H1 or more, and/or if the relationship between thechange in the human drive force H and the change in the phase of thecrank 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10 becomes a prescribedrelationship, the controller 52 switches to the second control state.

In the case that the first parameter P1 includes the human drive forceH, the fourth detection unit 64 includes the torque sensor. The torquesensor is used to detect the torque of the human drive force H. In thiscase, the fourth detection unit 64 is configured similarly to the torquesensor 56B. The torque sensor can be integrated with the torque sensor56B. The fourth detection unit 64 can include the torque sensor and thecrank rotation sensor. In this case, the crank rotation sensor isconfigured similarly to the crank rotation sensor 56A. The crankrotation sensor can be integrated with the crank rotation sensor 56A.

For example, the magnitude of the torque of the human drive force Hchanges between if the rider's posture is sitting and if riding out ofthe saddle. If the rider's posture is riding out of the saddle, thetorque of the human drive force H becomes larger than if the rider'sposture is sitting. The first value H1 is set to a value thatcorresponds to the magnitude of the human drive force H if the rider'sposture is riding out of the saddle. The controller 52 can determinethat the rider's posture is riding out of the saddle if the magnitude ofthe torque of the human drive force H is greater than the first value H1if a rotational phase of the crank 14 is in a prescribed range. Theprescribed range preferably includes an angle that is 90 degrees awayfrom the top dead center and the bottom dead center of the crank 14.

For example, the relationship between the change in the human driveforce H and the change in the phase of the crank 14 of the human-poweredvehicle 10 changes between if the rider's posture is sitting and ifriding out of the saddle. Specifically, the phase of the crank 14 atwhich the torque of the human drive force H reaches a maximum isdifferent between if the rider's posture is riding out of the saddle andif the rider's posture is sitting. The prescribed relationship is set toa relationship corresponding to the relationship between the change inthe phase of the crank 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10 and the changein the human drive force H if the rider's posture is riding out of thesaddle. For example, the controller 52 determines that the prescribedrelationship is established if the phase of the crank 14 if the torqueof the human drive force H reaches a maximum becomes the phasecorresponding to if the rider is riding out of the saddle.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to one example of the fifth example will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 10 . If electric power is supplied tothe controller 52 from the battery 44, the controller 52 initiates theprocess and proceeds to Step S71 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 10 .The controller 52 executes the process from Step S71 each prescribedcycle as long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S71. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S72.

In Step S72, the controller 52 determines whether the magnitude of thehuman drive force H is greater than or equal to the first value H1 orthe relationship between the change in the human drive force H and thechange in the phase of the crank 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10 isthe prescribed relationship. If the magnitude of the human drive force His less than the first value H1 or the relationship between the changein the human drive force H and the change in the phase of the crank 14of the human-powered vehicle 10 is not the prescribed relationship, thenthe controller 52 ends the process. If the magnitude of the human driveforce H is greater than or equal to the first value H1 or therelationship between the change in the human drive force H and thechange in the phase of the crank 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10 isthe prescribed relationship, then the controller 52 proceeds to StepS73.

The controller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S73 if themagnitude of the human drive force H is greater than or equal to thefirst value H1 in Step S72. The controller 52 can be configured toproceed to Step S73 if the relationship between the change in the humandrive force H and the change in the phase of the crank 14 of thehuman-powered vehicle 10 is the prescribed relationship, in Step S72.The controller 52 can be configured to proceed to Step S73 if themagnitude of the human drive force H is greater than or equal to thefirst value H1 and the relationship between the change in the humandrive force H and the change in the phase of the crank 14 of thehuman-powered vehicle 10 is the prescribed relationship, in Step S72.

In Step S73, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S74. In Step S74, the controller 52 determines whetherthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. In thecase that the condition for switching to the first control state is theopposite of the condition for switching to the second control state, thecondition for switching to the first control state is satisfied if themagnitude of the human drive force H is less than the first value H1, orthe relationship between the change in the human drive force H and thechange in the phase of the crank 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10 isnot the prescribed relationship. The controller 52 repeats thedetermination process of Step S74 until the condition for switching tothe first control state is met. If the condition for switching to thefirst control state is met, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S75.In Step S75, the controller 52 switches to the first control state andends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S74 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S73.

In the case that the fourth detection unit 64 detects at least one ofthe yaw angle DY and the roll angle DR, the fourth detection unit 64includes the tilt sensor. One example of the tilt sensor is a gyrosensor or an acceleration sensor. The fourth detection unit 64 isconfigured similarly to the tilt sensor of the gradient sensor 56C. Ifthe gradient sensor 56C includes the tilt sensor, the fourth detectionunit 64 can be integrated with the gradient sensor 56C.

In another example of the fifth example, the first parameter includesthe roll angle DR of the vehicle body 12. The controller 52, in thefirst control state, switches to the second control state if an amountof change DDR in the roll angle DR is greater than a prescribed amountof change DDRX.

In the case that the first parameter P1 includes the roll angle DR, thefourth detection unit 64 includes the tilt sensor. One example of thetilt sensor is a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor. The fourthdetection unit 64 is configured similarly to the tilt sensor of thegradient sensor 56C. If the gradient sensor 56C includes the tiltsensor, the fourth detection unit 64 can be integrated with the gradientsensor 56C.

For example, if the rider's posture is riding out of the saddle, theamount of change DDR of the roll angle DR becomes larger than if therider's posture is sitting. The prescribed amount of change DDRX is setto a value that corresponds to the magnitude of the amount of change DDRof the roll angle DR if the rider's posture is riding out of the saddle.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to another example of the fifth example will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11 . If electric power is supplied tothe controller 52 from the battery 44, then the controller 52 initiatesthe process and proceeds to Step S81 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 11. The controller 52 executes the process from Step S81 each prescribedcycle as long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S81. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S82.

In Step S82, the controller 52 determines whether the amount of changeDDR of the roll angle DR is greater than the prescribed amount of changeDDRX. If the amount of change DDR of the roll angle DR is not greaterthan the prescribed amount of change DDRX, the controller 52 ends theprocess. If the amount of change DDR of the roll angle DR is greaterthan the prescribed amount of change DDRX, then the controller 52proceeds to Step S83.

In Step S83, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S84. In Step S84, the controller 52 determines whetherthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. In thecase that the condition for switching to the first control state is theopposite of the condition for switching to the second control state, thecondition for switching to the first control state is satisfied if theamount of change DDR of the roll angle DR is not greater than theprescribed amount of change DDRX. The controller 52 repeats thedetermination process of Step S84 until the condition for switching tothe first control state is met. If the condition for switching to thefirst control state is met, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S85.In Step S85, the controller 52 switches to the first control state andends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S84 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S83.

In the sixth example, the controller 52 switches between the firstcontrol state and the second control state in accordance with an outputof a fifth detection unit 66, which detects the steering angle SA of thehandle of the human-powered vehicle 10 as information relating to themotion state. In this case, the control device 50 preferably furtherincludes the fifth detection unit 66.

The fifth detection unit 66 detects the angle of at least one of thefront fork 20, the handle 22A, the stem 22B, and the front wheel, withrespect to the frame 18. In one example, the fifth detection unit 66includes a rotation angle sensor. The fifth detection unit 66 is, forexample, provided in a head tube of the frame 18 and detects therotational angle of the front fork 20 with respect to the head tube. Therotational angle of the front fork 20 with respect to the head tubecorrelates with the steering angle SA.

In one example of the sixth example, the controller 52, if in the firstcontrol state, switches to the second control state if the steeringangle S is greater than a first steering angle 51. For example, thesteering angle S increases if the human-powered vehicle 10 is turning,is in a slalom, or is passing through a tight corner. The first steeringangle 51 is set to an angle that corresponds to the steering angle S ifthe human-powered vehicle 10 is turning, is in a slalom, or is passingthrough a tight corner.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to one example of the sixth example will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 12 . If electric power is supplied tothe controller 52 from the battery 44, the controller 52 initiates theprocess and proceeds to Step S91 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 12 .The controller 52 executes the process from Step S91 each prescribedcycle as long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S91. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S92.

In Step S92, the controller 52 determines whether the steering angle Sis greater than the first steering angle 51. If the steering angle S isnot greater than the first steering angle 51, then the controller 52ends the process. If the steering angle S is greater than the firststeering angle 51, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S93.

In Step S93, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S94. In Step S94, the controller 52 determines whetherthe condition for switching to the first control state is met. In thecase that the condition for switching to the first control state isopposite to the condition for switching to the second control state, thecondition for switching to the first control state is satisfied if thesteering angle S is not greater than the first steering angle 51. Thecontroller 52 repeats the determination process of Step S94 until thecondition for switching to the first control state is met. If thecondition for switching to the first control state is met, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S95. In Step S95, the controller 52switches to the first control state and ends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S94 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S193.

In another example of the sixth example, the controller 52, if in thefirst control state, switches to the second control state if thesteering angle S repeatedly increases and decreases within a thirdperiod of time T3. For example, in the case that the human-poweredvehicle 10 is wobbling or traveling in a location where there are manyobstacles, such as in the city, the steering angle S frequentlyincreases and decreases. The third period of time T3 is set to a periodof time with which it is possible to determine a repeated increase anddecrease of steering angle S in the case that the human-powered vehicle10 is wobbling or traveling in a location where there are manyobstacles, such as in the city. For example, the controller 52determines that the steering angle S has repeatedly increased anddecreased within the third period of time T3 if an increase of at leasta third prescribed angle as well as a decrease of at least a fourthprescribed angle have respectively occurred a prescribed number of timesor more in the steering angle S, within the third period of time T3.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to another example of the sixth example will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13 . If electric power is supplied tothe controller 52 from the battery 44, then the controller 52 initiatesthe process and proceeds to Step S101 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 13. The controller 52 executes the process from Step S101 each prescribedcycle as long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S101. If it is not in the first control state, the controller 52ends the process. If it is in the first control state, the controller 52proceeds to Step S102.

In Step S102, the controller 52 determines whether the steering angle Shas repeatedly increased and decreased within the third period of timeT3. If the steering angle S has not repeatedly increased and decreasedwithin the third period of time T3, then the controller 52 ends theprocess. If the steering angle S has repeatedly increased and decreasedwithin the third period of time T3, then the controller 52 proceeds toStep S103.

In Step S103, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S104. In Step S104, the controller 52 determineswhether the condition for switching to the first control state is met.In the case that the condition for switching to the first control stateis opposite to the condition for switching to the second control state,the condition for switching to the first control state is satisfied ifthe steering angle S has not repeatedly increased and decreased withinthe third period of time T3. The controller 52 repeats the determinationprocess of Step S104 until the condition for switching to the firstcontrol state is met. If the condition for switching to the firstcontrol state is met, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S105. InStep S105, the controller 52 switches to the first control state andends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S104, if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S103.

In the seventh example, the controller 52 switches between the firstcontrol state and the second control state corresponding to the steeringstate in accordance with an output of a sixth detection unit 68, whichdetects the rider's gripping state of the handle of the human-poweredvehicle 10. The controller 52, if in the first control state, switchesto the second control state if at least one hand of the rider is notgripping the handle 22A. In this case, the control device 50 preferablyfurther includes the sixth detection unit 68. The sixth detection unit68 detects the rider's gripping state of the handle 22A. The sixthdetection unit 68 includes, for example, at least one of a pressuresensor, a load sensor, and a contact sensor provided on the handle 22A.The sixth detection unit 68 is preferably configured to be capable ofrespectively detecting the gripping states of the handle 22A of both ofthe rider's hands.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to the seventh example will be described withreference to FIG. 14 . If electric power is supplied to the controller52 from the battery 44, then the controller 52 initiates the process andproceeds to Step S111 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 14 . Thecontroller 52 executes the process from Step S111 each prescribed cycleas long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S111. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S112.

In Step S112, the controller 52 determines whether neither hand of therider is gripping the handle 22A. If at least one hand of the rider isgripping the handle 22A, then the controller 52 ends the process. Ifneither hand of the rider is gripping the handle 22A, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S113.

In Step S113, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S114. In Step S114, the controller 52 determineswhether the condition for switching to the first control state is met.In the case that the condition for switching to the first control stateis opposite to the condition for switching to the second control state,the condition for switching to the first control state is satisfied ifthe at least one hand of the rider is gripping the handle 22A. Thecontroller 52 repeats the determination process of Step S114 until thecondition for switching to the first control state is met. If thecondition for switching to the first control state is met, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S115. In Step S115, the controller 52switches to the first control state and ends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S114 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S113.

In the eighth example, the controller 52 switches between the firstcontrol state and the second control state in accordance with an outputof a seventh detection unit 70, which detects a friction coefficient ofthe surface of the travel path or a second parameter P2 correlated withthe friction coefficient as information relating to the surfacecondition of the travel path. The controller 52, if in the first controlstate, switches to the second control state if the second parameter P2is greater than or equal to a prescribed value P2X. In this case, thecontrol device 50 preferably further includes the seventh detection unit70. The seventh detection unit 70 includes, for example, a slipdetection sensor. In one example, the slip detection sensor includes thetorque sensor and the crank rotation sensor. In another example, theslip detection sensor includes the crank rotation sensor and the vehiclespeed sensor.

The torque sensor included in the slip detection sensor is used fordetecting the torque of the human drive force H. In this case, thetorque sensor included in the slip detection sensor is configuredsimilarly to the torque sensor 56B. The torque sensor included in theslip detection sensor can be integrated with the torque sensor 56B. Thecrank rotation sensor included in the slip detection sensor isconfigured similarly to the crank rotation sensor 56A. The crankrotation sensor included in the slip detection sensor can be integratedwith the crank rotation sensor 56A.

The vehicle speed sensor included in the slip detection sensor is usedfor detecting the rotational speed of the wheel. The vehicle speedsensor outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational speed of thewheel. The controller 52 calculates the vehicle speed V of thehuman-powered vehicle 10 based on the rotational speed of the wheel. Thevehicle speed sensor preferably includes a Hall element or a magneticreed that constitutes a reed switch. The vehicle speed sensor isattached to a chain stay of the frame 18 and detects a magnet attachedto the rear wheel.

In the case that the seventh detection unit 70 includes the torquesensor and the crank rotation sensor, the second parameter P2 includesthe torque and the rotational speed N of the crank 14. Specifically, inthe first control state, the controller 52 switches to the secondcontrol state if the reduction amount of the torque is a prescribedtorque or more, and the rotational speed N of the crank 14 is greaterthan or equal to a prescribed speed NX. In this case, the prescribedvalue P2X includes the prescribed speed NX and the prescribed torquecorresponding to a slip state of the wheel.

In the case that the seventh detection unit 70 includes the crankrotation sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, the second parameter P2includes the difference between a value calculated by the crank rotationsensor and the vehicle speed V calculated by the vehicle speed sensor.Specifically, the controller 52, if in the first control state, switchesto the second control state if the difference between the value obtainedby multiplying the rotational speed N of the crank 14 by thetransmission ratio R and the vehicle speed V calculated by the vehiclespeed sensor is greater than or equal to the first prescribed speed VX.In this case, the prescribed value P2X includes the first prescribedspeed VX. In the first control state, if the difference between therotational speed N of the crank 14 and the value obtained by dividingthe vehicle speed V calculated by the vehicle speed sensor by thetransmission ratio R is greater than or equal to a second prescribedspeed VY, the controller 52 can switch to the second control state. Inthis case, the prescribed value P2X includes the second prescribed speedVY.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to the eighth example will be described withreference to FIG. 15 . If electric power is supplied to the controller52 from the battery 44, then the controller 52 initiates the process andproceeds to Step S121 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 15 . Thecontroller 52 executes the process from Step S121 each prescribed cycleas long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S121. If it is not in the first control state, the controller 52ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S122.

In Step S122, the controller 52 determines whether the second parameterP2 is greater than or equal to the prescribed value P2X. If the secondparameter P2 is not greater than or equal to the prescribed value P2X,then the controller 52 ends the process. If the second parameter P2 isgreater than or equal to the prescribed value P2X, then the controller52 proceeds to Step S123.

In Step S123, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S124. In Step S124, the controller 52 determineswhether the condition for switching to the first control state is met.In the case that the condition for switching to the first control stateis opposite to the condition for switching to the second control state,the condition for switching to the first control state is satisfied ifthe second parameter P2 is not greater than or equal to the prescribedvalue P2X. The controller 52 repeats the determination process of StepS124 until the condition for switching to the first control state ismet. If the condition for switching to the first control state is met,then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S125. In Step S125, thecontroller 52 switches to the first control state and ends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S124 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S123.

In the ninth example, the controller 52 switches between the firstcontrol state and the second control state in accordance with an outputof an eighth detection unit 72, which detects a connection between therider's shoe and the shoe connection mechanism of the pedal 24 as theinformation relating to the pedaling preparation state. The controller52, if in the first control state, switches to the second control stateif at least one shoe of the rider is removed from the shoe connectionmechanism. In this case, the control device 50 preferably furtherincludes the eighth detection unit 72.

The shoe connection mechanism detachably connects the rider's shoe withthe pedal 24. The pedal 24 is preferably a binding pedal. In oneexample, the eighth detection unit 72 is provided on at least one of thepedal 24 and the rider's shoe, and outputs a different signal dependingon whether the rider's shoe and the pedal are connected in a normalstate or are not connected in the normal state. For example, the eighthdetection unit includes a contact sensor provided in a portion of theshoe connection mechanism that comes into contact with the shoe if therider's shoe and the pedal are connected in the normal state.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state according to the ninth example will be described withreference to FIG. 16 . If electric power is supplied to the controller52 from the battery 44, then the controller 52 initiates the process andproceeds to Step S131 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 16 . Thecontroller 52 executes the process from Step S131 each prescribed cycleas long as electric power is being supplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S131. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S132.

In Step S132, the controller 52 determines whether at least one shoe ofthe rider is removed from the shoe connection mechanism. If neither shoeof the rider is removed from the shoe connection mechanism, then thecontroller 52 ends the process. If at least one shoe of the rider isremoved from the shoe connection mechanism, then the controller 52proceeds to Step S133.

In Step S133, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S134. In Step S134, the controller 52 determineswhether the condition for switching to the first control state is met.In the case that the condition for switching to the first control stateis opposite to the condition for switching to the second control state,the condition for switching to the first control state is satisfied ifthe at least one shoe of the rider is not removed from the shoeconnection mechanism. The controller 52 repeats the determinationprocess of Step S134 until the condition for switching to the firstcontrol state is met. If the condition for switching to the firstcontrol state is met, then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S135. InStep S135, the controller 52 switches to the first control state andends the process.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S134 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S133.

The controller 52 can carry out one switching process between the firstcontrol state and the second control state illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 16, or can carry out two or more switching processes between the firstcontrol state and the second control state illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 16.

The controller 52 can be configured to be capable of switching betweenthe first control state and the second control state according to asecond prescribed set of conditions. The controller 52 is configured tobe capable of selecting between either a first mode for switching fromthe first control state to the second control state if the secondprescribed set of conditions is met and a second mode in which the firstcontrol state is maintained even if the second prescribed set ofconditions is met, in accordance with an instruction from the rider. Therider instructs to select one of the first mode and the second mode tobe selected using an operating unit. The operating unit can be providedin a cycle computer or provided in an external device such as a personalcomputer or a smartphone. The second prescribed set of conditionsincludes, for example, at least one of the conditions to switch to thesecond control state of the first to the ninth examples.

For example, in the ninth example, in the case that the rider is wearinga shoe that does not connect with the shoe connection mechanism and inthe case that the pedal 24 does not include the shoe connectionmechanism in the human-powered vehicle 10, the controller 52 maintainsthe second control state in the first mode, since the rider's shoe andthe pedal are not connected in the normal state. In this case, thecontroller 52 can maintain the first control state if the rider selectsthe second mode.

The process for switching between the first control state and the secondcontrol state if it is possible to select between the first mode and thesecond mode will be described with reference to FIG. 17 . If electricpower is supplied to the controller 52 from the battery 44, then thecontroller 52 initiates the process and proceeds to Step S141 of theflow chart shown in FIG. 17 . The controller 52 executes the processfrom Step S141 each prescribed cycle as long as electric power is beingsupplied.

The controller 52 determines whether it is in the first control state inStep S141. If it is not in the first control state, then the controller52 ends the process. If it is in the first control state, then thecontroller 52 proceeds to Step S142.

In Step S142, the controller 52 determines whether the second prescribedset of conditions is met. If the second prescribed set of conditions isnot met, then the controller 52 ends the process. If the secondprescribed set of conditions is met, then the controller 52 proceeds toStep S143.

The controller 52 determines whether the mode is the first mode in StepS143. If the mode is not the first mode, then the controller 52 ends theprocess. If the mode is the first mode, then the controller 52 proceedsto Step S144.

In Step S144, the controller 52 switches to the second control state andproceeds to Step S145. In Step S145, the controller 52 determineswhether the condition for switching to the first control state is met.In the case that the condition for switching to the first control stateis the opposite of the condition for switching to the second controlstate, the condition for switching to the first control state issatisfied if the second prescribed set of conditions is no longersatisfied. The controller 52 repeats the determination process of StepS145 until the condition for switching to the first control state ismet. If the condition for switching to the first control state is met,then the controller 52 proceeds to Step S146. In Step S146, thecontroller 52 switches to the first control state and ends the process.

If the mode is the second mode in Step S143, then the controller 52 endsthe process. Thus, the first control state is not switched to the secondcontrol state, and the first control state is maintained.

The condition for switching to the first control state can be configuredto be satisfied if a prescribed period of time has elapsed afterswitching to the second control state. In this case, the controller 52can determine that the condition for switching to the first controlstate has been met in Step S144 if the prescribed period of time haselapsed after switching to the second control state in Step S143.

Modifications

The descriptions relating to the above-described embodiment are examplesof forms that the human-powered vehicle control device according to thepresent invention can assume, and are not intended to limit the formsthereof. The human-powered vehicle control device according to thepresent invention can assume the forms of the modified examples of theabove-described embodiment shown below, as well as forms that combine atleast two modified examples that are not mutually contradictory. In thefollowing modified examples, the portions common to the embodiment havebeen assigned the same reference symbols as the embodiment, and thedescriptions thereof will be omitted. The phrase “at least one of” asused in this disclosure means “one or more” of a desired choice. For oneexample, the phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means“only one single choice” or “both of two choices” if the number of itschoices is two. For other example, the phrase “at least one of” as usedin this disclosure means “only one single choice” or “any combination ofequal to or more than two choices” if the number of its choices is equalto or more than three.

The controller 52 can be configured to be capable of changing thetransmission ratio R if a gear shift request is generated by means of anoperation of a shift operation device if in the first control state, andconfigured so as to not change the transmission ratio R if a gear shiftrequest is generated by means of an operation of the shift operationdevice if in the second control state.

In addition to at least one of the first example and the second example,in the first control state, the controller 52 can be configured toswitch to the second control state if the road gradient is a descendingslope having a prescribed gradient or more.

The controller 52 can be configured to change the transmission ratio Raccording to a condition other than the travel state and the travelenvironment of the human-powered vehicle 10. For example, the controller52 changes the transmission ratio R according to the state of the rider.The rider's state includes, for example, the heart rate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A human-powered vehicle control devicecomprising: an electronic controller configured to control atransmission to initiate a shifting operation based on a set ofprescribed conditions that changes a transmission ratio of ahuman-powered vehicle, the electronic controller being configured toswitch between a first control state that controls the transmission tochange the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed setof conditions, and a second control state that controls the transmissionto prevent the change of the transmission ratio as compared to the firstcontrol state, the electronic controller being configured to switchbetween the first control state and the second control state inaccordance with a current detection of a steering state of thehuman-powered vehicle.
 2. The human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is configured toswitch between the first control state and the second control state inaccordance with an output of a fifth detection unit, which detects asteering angle of a handle of the human-powered vehicle as informationrelating to the steering state.
 3. The human-powered vehicle controldevice according to claim 2, wherein the electronic controller isconfigured to switch to the second control state upon determining thesteering angle is greater than a first steering angle while in the firstcontrol state.
 4. The human-powered vehicle control device according toclaim 2, wherein the electronic controller is configured to switch tothe second control state upon determining the steering angle repeatedlyincreases and decreases within a third period of time while in the firstcontrol state.
 5. The human-powered vehicle control device according toclaim 1, wherein the first prescribed set of conditions includes atleast one of a travel state and a travel environment of thehuman-powered vehicle.
 6. The human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is configured tocontrol the transmission to not change the transmission ratio inaccordance with the first prescribed set of conditions while in thesecond control state.
 7. The human-powered vehicle control deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the electronic controller is configured tocontrol the transmission to change the transmission ratio upondetermining a parameter related to at least one of a travel state and atravel environment of the human-powered vehicle is outside of a firstrange while in the first control state, and the electronic controller isconfigured to control the transmission to change the transmission ratioupon determining the parameter is outside a second range, which is widerthan the first range, while in the second control state.